Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify, describe, and compare the barriers that African American middle management women perceive in negotiating through the labyrinth to corporate-level positions in business and education. Providing additional research and revealing areas of opportunity for development is an ancillary purpose of this study. Methodology. The methodology of this research was an ethnographic case study using qualitative data. The subjects were 36 African American women who hold middle management positions in education and business within the Riverside and San Bernardino Counties of California. Subjects responded to two research instruments: (a) a 16-question demographic questionnaire, and (b) a focus group interview utilizing 4 semistructured interview questions assessing barriers experienced in their career progression to corporate-level roles, and most important, resources for career progression. Findings. Examination of qualitative data from the 36 participants in the study identified 5 common barriers experienced by middle management African American women in education and business. Participants expressed their barriers as not having access to high visibility assignments, lack of mentors, race, lack of networking opportunities, and no one to share their concerns with. Conclusions. The study data support the conclusion African American women continue to be underrepresented in corporate-level positions in education and business. African American women need to overcome several barriers and be provided with organization-based resources to further their careers to corporate-level positions. Recommendations. Further research is advised. The further research should be conducted nationwide in order to have a larger population, since the size of this particular study was small. Also, it is recommended that the study be replicated to compare the barriers of African American men in middle management to African American women in middle management to identify if the barriers are more gender related or race related.